Spinning top



Y. KOCHI SPINNING TOP Original Filed March 9, 1926 Patented Aug. 13, 1929.

UNITED STATES YOSHISUKE KOCHI, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

SPINNING TOP.

Application filed March 9, 1926, Serial No. 93,448. Renewed June 25, 1929.

The present invention relates to improvements in spinning tops, and has for its objects to provide a top of the class hereinafter described, which is well adapted to afford amusement, which will be inexpensive to manufacture, which is pleasing in appearance, and which is so formed as to retain its gyratory movement for an unusual length of time, and to retain the gyroscopic effect to a greater degree than the ordinary spinning top.

To attain the foregoing objects and advantages, I have provided the top herein illustrated and described, having a disk-like body with a concave top surface, and having a turning peg for rotation, consisting of a straight shaft projecting downwardly from the body.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a spinning top embodying the present invention and illustrating the form which I have so far found to be the most practical for the purpose. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the top. Fig. 3 illustrates a method of suspending the top after it has been set in motion and while it is rotating.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the body 11 consists of a disk constructed preferably from wood, having a considerable diameter in proportion to its thickness, and having the concave top surface 12. The turning peg 13 projects from the bottom. In using the top, the cord 14 is first wound around the peg l3 and against the conical bottom surface 15, of the body, in a spiral coil. The top is then spun in the usual way.

The advantages of my improved spinning top are attained by the novel formation of the body as shown. lVith the large relative diameter, the weight is in the rim and through its momentum, tends to maintain the top in its rotatitve movement for a longer time. The primary feature is, however, in the concave top. hen the top is being rotatcd, this formation will cause many currents of air to rush to the axial center above the top, which also tends to maintain the top in its gyratory movement. The top, with this concave top surface will continue to rotate on its axis for a longer time than if the top surface be convex as in the ordinary top. The inrushing currents of air serve to support the rotating top in its gyratory plane. The top will rotate for a longer time with the ordinary speed of movement, or for the usual time with a lesser initial speed of rotation.

So persistent is the gyratory effect caused by the concave top surface that the top may be, after initial rotary movement in the usual manner, supported by a cord as shown in Fig. 3, where it Will retain its axial inclination for a considerable time. The supporting effect of the currents of air is attained only by forming the top with its concave upper surface.

\Vhat is claimed is:

1. A spinning top, comprising a disk-like body,a conoidal base, a terminal peg in and projecting from the base and adapted for rotation, and a smooth concave upper surface on the body, the said upper surface having a diameter in proportion to its depth as shown.

2. A spinning-top, comprising a disk-like body, a conoidal base forming the lower part of the body, the inclination of the surface of the base being seventy degrees from the axis of the body, aterminal peg projecting from the base and adapted for rotation, and a smooth concave upper surface on the body, the said concave surface having a diameter greater than its depth.

3. A spinning-top, comprising a disk-like body having a relatively large diameter in proportion to its thickness, a terminal peg in the base for rotation, and a smooth concave upper surface on the body.

4. A spinning-top, comprising a dislelike body, a conoidal base forming the lower part of the body, an axial shaft for rotation projecting from the base, and a smooth concave upper surface on the body.

5. A spinning-top, comprising a disk-like body having a conoidal base portion subtending an angle of 1410 degrees, an axial shaft for rotation projecting from the body, and a smooth concave upper surface on the body, the body having a height less than its diameter.

6. A spinning-top, comprising a disk-like body, a conoidal base subtending an angle of 140 degrees, an axial shaft for rotation projecting from the base, and a smooth concave upper surface on the body.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature.

YOSHISUKE KOCHI. 

